2+ Year Member

This is from another thread, but it was kind of off topic, so I decided to start another one. I'm probably going Navy, but the Army is becoming more attractive due to the greater possibility of matching into one of the more competitive residencies (I'm still not 100% sure which specialty I want, so more options down the line would be good), so I'm curious about something:

When I was choosing which branch to choose, the Army recruiter told me they have documented evidence that deployments can be no longer than 90 days. I tried to call BS, based on what I've read here on this site. So, what's the deal? Who's right? Any specific contradictory information?

Sometimes I feel that the recruiters know less about what's going on than the rest of us and just regurgitate the information they receive without doing any research.

Can anyone perhaps provide me specific evidence indicating otherwise? Perhaps a news story describing this happening to a medical officer? Any more concrete evidence either way would be great. Or even an anecdotal story, but it'd be better to have something more official. I'll do some more research on my own, but maybe one of you have some info? Thanks.

2+ Year Member

Speaking as a specialist on the hook for 12-18 months in the sandbox, your recruiter is full of $hit.
There are no garaunties for length of deployment. If you are a surgeon or anesthesia or interventional medical sub-specialty (GI,cards, pulm/CC) and you are stationed at a CSH, you've got a shot at a 6 monther. The surgeons who go out with the FST teams go for b/w 90 days and 6 months (usually on the shorter side since they don't do too much out of the FST's as a rule).
The recently departed and not much lamented SG told the IM specialty meeting last year "you know those 6 month deployments you guys were liking so much? They're going away b/c the PA's have been deploying so frequently."
Way to look out for the docs KK. Wonder how/if the nurse in charge will change the deployment schedule...

7+ Year Member

Army Active Duty Docs will do 1 year plus, Army National Guard Docs will only go 90 days (by law) unless they volunteer for longer. Air Force Active Duty Deployment Rotations typically keep to a 120 day cycle, so that may be something to consider also. The linked article here mentions the 90 day length for National Guard.

7+ Year Member

Here is another article on a different doctor. Here is a third article that repeatedly references the 90 day rotation. And yet another. If a National Guard/Reserve Physician stayed more than 90 days (with the exception of a few senior leaders) it was because they volunteered to do it.

"Dr. Granger said health care providers, doctors, some dentists and certified nurse anesthetists come on 90-day reserve rotations to allow them to maintain their daily practices in the private sector, but medics, nurses and others deploy for about a year. Most of the reserves serving in Iraq were replaced by other reserve units earlier this year. More reserves replaced units serving at military hospitals outside the theater of operations."

Click to expand...

" For medical professionals-physicians, dentists, nurse anesthetists and some others-the policy is whenever possible to allow them at least 18 months in between their 90-day deployments (although reserve officials have established a 120-day door to door policy, 90 days refers to the actual time on the ground). "The policy was basically established to make it 18 months minimum in between, whenever possible, and 12 months if it's a more critically needed area," Lt. Col. Moore said.

Division surgeons and a number of leaders of medical units may be excluded from the 90-day policy and will often stay for the duration of their units' tours. "

2+ Year Member

The 90 days for reservists is true. They often do their deployments in the US. It's pretty tough to leave your practice for 3 months while you're activated. Not so good for your secretary or nurses if you're in a small practice, not to mention your partners...

2+ Year Member

The 90 days for reservists is true. They often do their deployments in the US. It's pretty tough to leave your practice for 3 months while you're activated. Not so good for your secretary or nurses if you're in a small practice, not to mention your partners...

Click to expand...

Definitely NOT true for Navy reservists. I know an oral surgeon and orthopedic surgeon who both got activated to go to Kuwait back in 2004 for a 1-year deployment. One had to close his practice and lay-off his office staff, one had to hire locums out of his own pocket for over 150k to keep his practice open.

2+ Year Member

Update! The army recruiters had me talk to a big dog today. He called and in response to my question regarding length of deployment he confirmed it! 6 months to a year! I then requested that he contact the other recruiters and tell them to stop spreading misinformation. Awkward silence, then redirection of the topic!

I kind of feel like the recruiters aren't neccessarily lying, but rather, they're being misinformed from top down. Maybe it's a systemic problem? I'm sure you could all agree with this. My recruiters kind of felt duped as well. How funny / depressing. Bummer!

7+ Year Member

Since that's the case, why would you think that deployment length would be anything less (12-18 months for Iraq/Afghanistan) than anyone else on AD? I've been on several humanitarian aid deployments (while on AD) and was part of the kickoff of OIF, and the AD Docs were always there with us for the duration, whether it was 2 months or 10 or longer.

2+ Year Member

Since that's the case, why would you think that deployment length would be anything less (12-18 months for Iraq/Afghanistan) than anyone else on AD? I've been on several humanitarian aid deployments (while on AD) and was part of the kickoff of OIF, and the AD Docs were always there with us for the duration, whether it was 2 months or 10 or longer.

Click to expand...

I would think the deployments would be less...because the recruiter said it was 90 days maximum. This is why.

10+ Year Member

i was wondering how long the deployments are for army pediatricians usually?

Click to expand...

Based on our experience at MAMC, 6-15 months. Typically, the subspecialists are going for shorter tours, but rumor has it this is going to change. We've even heard through the grape vine that FM docs are deploying for 18+ months. Ugh.

Ed

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
Edmund Burke (1729-1797)

What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

Stop hovering to collapse...Click to collapse...Hover to expand...Click to expand...

2+ Year Member

GMO's can be in a number of places. Typically they are with a manuever unit, usually at a BAS. They can be with a Charle MED (level II) or a CSH, although those CSH slots are in high demand.
As far as front lines go, the answer is sometimes. Depends on the mission and the commander.

10+ Year Member

GMO's can be in a number of places. Typically they are with a manuever unit, usually at a BAS. They can be with a Charle MED (level II) or a CSH, although those CSH slots are in high demand.
As far as front lines go, the answer is sometimes. Depends on the mission and the commander.

Click to expand...

Wow, I was under the impression that docs are never really that close to the front lines. They're going to drop all that money on training a physician just to get them shot at?

About Us

We’ve been on the Internet for over 20 years doing just one thing: providing career information for free or at cost. We do this because we believe that the health education process is too expensive and too competitive.

We believe that all students deserve the same access to high quality information. We believe that providing high quality career advice and information ensures that everyone, regardless of income or privilege, has a chance to achieve their dream of being a doctor.

SDN is published by CRG, a nonprofit educational organization. We’re dedicated to our mission to help you.